PROCESS TECHNOLOGY, CHEMICAL COMPOSITION AND QUALITY OF "AADUN" A MAIZE- BASED NIGERIAN SNACK

Process technology, chemical composition and sensory quality of "aadun"- a maize based Nigeriansnack were investigated. Process technology was established through oral interview and visitation toprocessors at Abeokuta and Ibadan, while "aadun" samples were evaluated for their chemical compositionand sensory quality using laboratory samples as control. Although ingredient composition variedwidely among processors, roasted maize flour and palm oil constitute about 71 and 27 % of the ingredientsrespectively. Pepper, salt and other spices added up to only 1- 2%. The major unit operationsidentified in "aadun" processing were: cleaning, roasting, milling, sieving, mixing, molding and packaging."Aadun" was found to be very rich in calorie (495.34- 618.84kcal/ 100g), low in protein (4.95-6.08%) and a good source of phosphorus (538.45- 600mg/100g) and magnesium (245.05-255.12mg/100g). Sensory quality of "aadun" is processor dependent as samples differ significantly(p> 0.05) in their colour, aroma, texture and overall acceptability but not in taste. "Aadun" samplesgenerally had low microbial loads with total plate count ranging between 1.2 x103 and 3.3x103cfu/g

Strength and Workability Improvement Potential of Admixture of Corn Cob Ash and Cement for Stabilizing Lateritic Soil

A natural lateritic soil classified as A-7-5 (10) and CL based on AASHTO and USCS classification systems, was stabilized with up to 5% cement admixed with up to 12% CCA to assess their effect on its basic geotechnical properties such as particle size distribution, Atterberg limits, compaction, unconfined compressive strength and California bearing ratio. The liquid limit decreased and plastic limit increased while there is a reduction in corresponding plasticity index of the clay soil. There was an increase in Maximum Dry Density (MDD) and Optimum Moisture Content (OMC) of the stabilized soil sample, which increased with the increasing content of CCA and cement. Both the Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS) and California Bearing Ratio (CBR) of the soil increased with increasing percentage of cement and CCA. Based on the results of this study, corn cob ash (CCA) cannot be used as a stand-alone stabilizer for this lateritic soil but with a more potent stabilizer for clay soil such as lime. It is therefore recommended that the mixture of 12% CCA and 2.5% cement could be used to stabilize A-7-5 (10) lateritic soil for use as subbase material and 12% CCA and 5.0% cement could be used to stabilize A-7-5 (10) lateritic soil for use as base material for improving pavement structure in terms of strength, stability and workability. Keywords: Lateritic soil, Corn cob ash, Cement, Stabilization, Strength and Workability DOI: 10.7176/JIEA/9-7-06 Publication date: December 31st 201

CONTRIBUTION OF PERI-URBAN FORESTS TO NEIGHBOURHOOD LIVELIHOODS IN ABEOKUTA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined the contribution of peri-urban forest to neighbourhood livelihoods in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Stratified sampling technique was adopted for the study. Four strata represent-ing different communities were selected; Ajegule, Ibode Olude, Ilugun Titun and Mawuko. From each stratum, twenty five respondents were randomly selected with a total of 100 respondents from the neighbourhood. Questionnaire was used as the instrument of data collection. The result showed that poverty line was N8,871.41 monthly and 41% of the respondents were categorised as poor (Poverty incidence). Household assets acquisition as poverty indicator showed that majority of the respondents could not afford luxury items such as cars (89%), generators (71%) and electric cookers (99%). Liveli-hood activities identified in peri-urban forest with respondents distribution were firewood collection 24%, wages 24%, snail gathering 7%, medicinal leaves collection 5%, hunting 8%, teak leaves collec-tion 21% and geological materials extraction 11%. The earnings and income shares by source indi-cated that forest contributed 17% of total income in Ajegunle, 15% in Ibode Olude, 18% in Ilugun Titun and 15% in Mawuko. This showed the contribution of peri-urban forest to welfare of the respondents in the neighbourhood. Consequently, it is recommended that conservation efforts must increase through forest policy for peri-urban forests coupled with adult literacy for adequate education to reduce de-pendence on forests in peri-urban areas to enable the forest impact positively through eco-services on the lives of residents in the locality

Socio- Economic Contributions and Marketing of Charcoal in Igbo-Ora, Oyo State

Charcoal is a major forest product that serves as vital source of livelihood for large proportion of the poor and middle-class people living in or close to the forest in most tropical countries. This study specifically examines the socio-demographic properties, profitability and market structure in the study areas. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 120 charcoal businesses, which was split on market chain whether they were producers, wholesalers or retailers. 40 copies of questionnaires were administered on each market chain. Descriptive statistical tools, profitability analysis, gross margin and Gini coefficient were used to analyze the data collected. Profitability analysis showed that the producers, wholesalers and retailers incurred ₦15,100.00, ₦55,675.00 and ₦1,715.00 respectively as total cost but earned ₦52,675.00, ₦78,750.00 and ₦2,312.50 respectively as revenue implying that each earned ₦37,575.00, ₦23,075.00 and ₦597.50 respectively as gross profit. Also, benefit cost ratio was recorded to be 3.49, 1.41 and 1.35 respectively. Gini-Coefficient of 0.4932 obtained in this study showed that the market is tilting away from equality, also among the market participants, and prices were determined at the production level of the chain, although the business was lucrative. It is therefore recommended that government should create structural frameworks that allows for planting of more trees by charcoal producers in other to ensure maximum sustainability of the resource, more so, policies that checkmate charcoal producers should be implemented by the Forestry governing body as most exploit woods unsustainably. Keywords: Market chain, Profitability, Sustainability, Charcoal, Benefit Cost Ratio, Marketin

Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Activities of the Leaf Oil Extract of Mentha Spicata and its Efficacy in Repelling Mosquito

Synthetic drugs and repellents have been discovered to have adverse toxicity effects apart from the fact that they are no longer efficient due to adaptation of microbes and mosquitoes to them. This study is based on using the extract from local leaves (Mentha spicata plant) as treatment for microbial diseases as well as mosquito repellent. Extract of leaf were studied and screened for the presence of phytochemicals (secondary metabolites) and antimicrobial properties against some fungi and bacteria viz., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus Subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus niger, Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The result of the phytochemical screening revealed that the leave extract contained tannin, steroids, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenols and cardiac glycosides while anthraquinones and saponins were not determined. From the microbial analysis the zone of inhibitions indicated that the extract of Mentha spicata plant had strong activity against bacteria and fungi used in this analysis. Mentha spicata oil extract with the highest concentration when introduced into the produced cream had the highest repellency time lasting up to four [4] hours. The chemical constituents of the leaf oil extract were analyzed using Gas chromatography- mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and the major chemical constituent identified was carvon

Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Activities of the Leaf Oil Extract of Mentha Spicata and its Efficacy in Repelling Mosquito

Synthetic drugs and repellents have been discovered to have adverse toxicity effects apart from the fact that they are no longer efficient due to adaptation of microbes and mosquitoes to them. This study is based on using the extract from local leaves (Mentha spicata plant) as treatment for microbial diseases as well as mosquito repellent. Extract of leaf were studied and screened for the presence of phytochemicals (secondary metabolites) and antimicrobial properties against some fungi and bacteria viz., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus Subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus niger, Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The result of the phytochemical screening revealed that the leave extract contained tannin, steroids, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenols and cardiac glycosides while anthraquinones and saponins were not determined. From the microbial analysis the zone of inhibitions indicated that the extract of Mentha spicata plant had strong activity against bacteria and fungi used in this analysis. Mentha spicata oil extract with the highest concentration when introduced into the produced cream had the highest repellency time lasting up to four [4] hours. The chemical constituents of the leaf oil extract were analyzed using Gas chromatography- mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and the major chemical constituent identified was carvon

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF SOLID MINERALS FROM LOKOJA AND JOS IN NORTH CENTRAL NIGERIA

The structural, qualitative and quantitative analysis of grained rock samples were carried out with the view to establishing the mineral components present in the samples. Two samples were collectedfrom a mining site in Jos, Plateau State as well as from another mining site in Lokoja, Kogi State.The two samples were prepared for XRD analysis using a backloading preparation method and done with X-ray diffractometer. The analysis confirmed the presence of minerals such as Cassiterite (SnO2), Ilmenite (FeTiO3), Zircon (SiO4),Columbite (Fe), Manganoan in the ample from Jos as a result of the matching of the peaks with the database 2θ values. The percentage area integration of the various phases which correlated to the quantity of the various minerals in the sample revealed that Cassiterite(Tin Oxide) of 65.9% value was from Jos and is a Tin Ore. The grain sizes for Cassiterite (SnO2), Ilmenite (FeTiO3), Zircon (SiO4), Columbite (Fe), Manganoan are 17.674, 35.348, 37.208, 70.695, 20.199 in nm respectively. The samples from Lokoja showed the presence of Magnetite (Fe¬3O4), Quartz (SiO2), Hematite (Fe2O3) and Geothite(FeO(OH)) and confirmed the grain sizes of 28.278, 35.348, 28.278. 17.673 and 23.565 in nm respectively.The constituents of Lokoja samples, all of which contained Iron Oxide also indicate that the sample is an Iron Ore. These findings confirm the fact that the mineral resources that are present in these regions of the country areeconomically viable and have the potential to boost economy and industrial development&nbsp

Medicinal plants used to treat Snake bite by Fulani Herdsmen in Taraba State, Nigeria

Snake bite remains a public health hazard in tropical countries. Taraba State with a high Fulani population has one of the highest incidences in the country. The Fulani herdsmen are more at risk because of their agropastoralist lifestyle. Their village settlement positions make it more difficult for them to assess antiserum, the only source of treatment available for snake bite, Therefore the only option left for them is the use of village surrounding medicinal plants for the treatment of the snake bite. Recent efforts on ethnopharmacology revealed several of these medicinal plants with potential to treat snake bite. This work was designed to document medicinal plants used by Fulani herdsmen in Taraba State, Nigeria, for the treatment of snake bites. Information provided will enable further study on the efficacy of the medicinal plants so identified. Eight out of the total sixteen Local government areas (LGAs) of Taraba State, Nigeria were selected for the survey. Sixty four (64) herdsmen with good ethnomedical knowledge were interviewed. The results showed that 19 plants species belonging to 15 plant families were used as remedies for the treatment of snake bite by 42.20% of the Fulani herdsmen interviewed. Annona senegalensis was the most frequently used plant. The proposed mechanisms of action of these plants with regards to venom enzymes inhibition or neutralization were discussed. Further studies on the efficacy and toxicity of these plants are suggested